The New York State Department of Health recently reported on the first isolation of the West Nile Virus (WNV) in Nassau County. The virus was identified in a crow which was collected July 23 in Levittown.

To date, no humans or horses have tested positive for WNV in Nassau County and 325 mosquito pools submitted for testing to the NYS laboratory have tested negative for the virus. On August 8, the first mosquito pool that tested positive for WNV in Nassau County this year was found in Suffolk County. According to the Dept. of Health, the pool was found in a sparsely populated area which comprises protected wetlands that provide significant mosquito breeding areas.

"The presence of the West Nile virus in birds is not unexpected," said Dr. David Ackman, Nassau County commissioner of health. "We hope this finding serves to add urgency to our message of eliminating mosquito breeding sites around the home and on private property, especially in view of the recent heavy rains. Nevertheless, we believe the risk of infection for Nassau residents remains quite low."

Nassau County has no plans to spray for adult mosquitoes at this time. The Department of Health and Public Works will continue their mosquito control efforts by inspecting breeding sites and, when necessary, applying larvicide. Mosquito surveillance will continue at 42 trap sites located throughout the county. The county will continue the routine serial applications of larvicide in the non-populated areas in the salt marshes off Jones Beach.

Members of the County Legislature, including local Legislator Dennis Dunne, Sr., recently sent out fliers to all county residents describing various ways residents can protect themselves from WNV. Dunne noted that after making it through one of the snowiest winters in recent memory, followed by a spring that brought record amounts of rain, summer's heat has been just as extreme. The legislator added that residents need to intensify the outstanding homefront job they've done in past seasons of vigilance against West Nile Virus. He also said it's important that residents are made aware of the fact that one crow has been found.

"People need to know, and one way to protect ourselves is to make sure that we follow [some] instructions," Dunne said, adding that the precautions are fairly simple to understand and implement but, at the same time, are easy to forget. "People don't always think about it and it gets scary, [especially when you hear that a dead crow is found in your area]."

Dunne added that since the public has been hearing about the warnings of WNV for years, the message should be loud and clear by now.

"It's starting to get into our subconscious," he said, adding that like many other things, the impact doesn't hit home until something happens right in your own backyard. "I want to get the message out to the people, it's important that we follow those instructions to protect ourselves."

Because West Nile virus is present throughout New York State and beyond, and the primary carrier of WNV in Nassau County is the Culex pipiens, or "house mosquito" which flies approximately 200 feet from its breeding site, residents are urged to continue to take precautions for safety and protection. Safeguards residents should adhere to include:

• Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots and similar water-holding containers.

• Properly dispose of used tires, which are significant mosquito breeding sites.

• Clean and unclog roof gutters which are another prime breeding site.

• Turn over wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use.

• Change the water in birdbaths twice weekly.

• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs.

• Drain water from pool covers.

• Remove leaf debris from yards and gardens.

• Make sure window and door screens are installed, tight fitting and in good repair.

• Consider wearing long sleeves, pants, socks and mosquito repellent (according to directions) when outdoors where mosquitoes are active, especially in the late afternoon and from dusk to dawn.

Dunne noted that Nassau County is taking certain steps to help prevent and control mosquitoes. He said that the Nassau County Department of Public Works and Health are working together to:

• Perform salt marsh and fresh water surveillance by "dipping," which entails scooping water from potential breeding areas to see if larvae are present.

• Monitor and treat with larvicides, when appropriate, 650 recharge basins (sumps), 200 miles of fresh water streams, 70,000 street basins and 50 ponds.

• Trap adult mosquitoes on at least 40 sites to identify their species, areas of infestation, to estimate their population, the presence of disease and effectiveness of control efforts.

• Record dead bird reports, collect and test a very few selected specimens within 24 hours of their death to see if they are carrying WNV. (A mosquito may bite a bird that carries the virus and then spread the virus by biting a human).

• Respond to complaints from the public concerning mosquitoes or their breeding sites.

• If virus activity is found, an informed decision on the necessary strategy will be made at the time in cooperation with other levels of government. The preferred application of an adulticide (adult mosquito control) is ground spraying. Aerial spraying will be used only as a last resort.

• The Dept. of Public Works maintains "ditches" on the County's south shore which allow killfish (or other predatory fish) to reach and consume mosquito eggs, larvae and pupae, and permit tidal waters to drain off march lands.

• The Nassau County Mosquito Program is coordinating with New York State, New York City and other counties affected by WNV to ensure a regional approach to mosquito control.

Dunne noted that if residents have mosquito questions or complaints, or have observed breeding areas or found dead birds on their property, they should contact the Nassau County Health Department at 571-8707 weekdays between 7:45 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Additionally, a 24-hour West Nile Virus information hotline has been set up to provide residents with the most up-to-date WNV information. The number is 571-2500. Residents can also find this information by visiting the health department's website at www.co.nassau.ny.us/health/WestNileVirus.html. Dunne added that if residents need additional information about this matter or if he could be of any assistance, he can be reached at 571-6215 or via e-mail at ddunne@attglobal.net.